For our second feature of International Women’s Month we spotlight Los Angeles-based pop-punk DnB sensation Ghost In Real Life (G.I.R.L)—real name Maggie Beltran.
Starting her project producing dubstep and trap, she discovered a love for DnB following the release of her 2023 track “Youth.” Since then, she has captivated audiences across the U.S., her high-energy performances earning support from major acts like Zeds Dead, Reaper, Subtronics, and Riot Ten.
Maggie created G.I.R.L. in 2019, but the project truly took off during the pandemic. While live music was on pause, she capitalized on the rise of live streams. Maggie coined the name, Ghost In Real Life, to embody femininity without an overtly feminist label.
As a longtime artist and producer, G.I.R.L. is no stranger to the challenges women face in the music industry. Before launching her current project, Maggie explored multiple musical ventures including her college punk band, The Inferiors. She also encountered gender bias in her production classes, where classmates were reluctant to collaborate with her simply because she was a woman.
“I often get told I’d make more money as a singer,” said Ghost In Real Life (G.I.R.L.) “or people tend to only think I’m a singer/songwriter rather than a producer/engineer, but honestly, I think the world expects us to fall into these roles they expect out of women creatives and freak out when I’m not one of them. I think a lot of people don’t know what to do with me yet, but I don’t plan on changing anytime soon to fit in a box. I think people in general need to have less expectations of female creatives and just give us a chance to be, ya know, creative.”
G.I.R.L. is among the many outstanding women in the music industry breaking barriers and embracing creative freedom. As an advocate for women in music, she hopes her work inspires confidence and courage in fellow female producers, emphasizing that they all deserve the opportunity to make their mark.
With the release of her latest track, “My Anthem,” G.I.R.L. is gearing up for an exciting year as she continues to make waves in the DnB community. Check out her new song and follow her on social media to stay updated on her journey!
